Course obstacle and wheel actuated signal for cyclists

ABSTRACT

Course obstacle and signal device for events performed by cyclists responds to passage of the cycle wheels to give a signal only if the cyclist succeeds in performing a particular manipulation of the bicycle or the like with which the event is performed.

United States Patent 1 1 1111 3,911,857

Manuel Oct. 14, 1975 [54] COURSE OBSTACLE AND WHEEL 3,376,844 4/1968 Wood H 273/86 R ACTUA'I'ED SIGNAL FOR 3,496,674 2/1970 Cooper w 1 16/132 R 3,498,255 3/1970 Haeberleu. 116/132 R [76] Inventor: J m s E r n l, B 3,759,516 9/1973 Miller 273 1 R 627. Port Jefferson, NY. 11777 22 Filed; M 22 1974 Primary ExaminerRichard C1 Queisser Assislan! ExaminerDanie1 M. Yasich [2] 1 App! 453304 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Roylance, Abrams, Berdo & Kaul [52] US. Cl. 116/132 R; 272/3 [51] Int. C1.2 G09F 19/00; A63K 03/00 57 ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search 116/132 R, 98; 272/4, 1 R, I

272/3; 273/86 R. 1 R; 46/! K Course obstacle and s1gnal dev1ce for events performed by cyclists responds to passage of the cycle [56] References Cited wheels to give a signal only if the cyclist succeeds in performing a particular manipulation of the bicycle or UNITED STATES PATENTS the like with which the event is performed. 2,784 692 3/1957 Ballesteros 116/132 R X 100,472 8/1963 Jackson ll6/l32 R x 15 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures U.S. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet 1 of4 3,911,857

V Z: VIII L "11! US. Patent 0a. 14, 1975 Sheet 2 of4 3,911,857

U.S. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet 3 of4 3,911,857

US. Patent 0a. 14, 1975 Sheet 4 of4 3,911,857

COURSE OBSTACLE AND WHEEL ACT UATED SIGNAL FOR CYCLISTS RELATED APPLICATIONS This invention is broadly disclosed in my eopending application Ser. No. 453,805, filed concurrently herewith and the apparatus disclosed and claimed herein is useful as a part of the apparatus for timed events disclosed in that copending application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Events performed with bicycles and the like have long been popular, but such evennts have historically been confined primarily to test the endurance of the competitors or the speeds which they could attain. In recent times, the wider use of bicycles and the increasingly hazardous road and traffic conditions to which cy clists are exposed have made it desirable to promote skill in controlling and manipulating the vehicle, and to do so in ways which will appeal to the younger cyclist. However. though parents of cyclists, officials responsible for traffic safety. and others have been quick to see the need for improving the skill of the average cyclist, the prior art has provided substantially no equipment useful for that purpose.

It is accordingly a general object of the invention to devise a combined course obstacle and wheel-actuated event signal which can be used to challenge and improve the skill of the cyclist.

Another object is to provide such a device which can be marketed at reasonable cost, so as to be available as part of a game or event apparatus saleable to the average family.

A furthcr object is to provide such a device which can be easily understood and set up for use. so that events employing the device can be arranged by children and others with minimum mechanical skill,

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Broadly considered. devices according to the invention comprise a base, a signal carried by the base and actuatablc between an inactive condition and a signalling condition, at least one movable operating member projecting from the base for actuation by passage of a bicycle wheel or wheels. and means operated by the op erating member for actuating the signal. Typically, the signal is a pivoted flag member carried by the base and spring-biased from a stowed position toward a signalling position. the flag member being releasably secured in stowed position by at least one movable latch member. The operating member is in the form of a rod journallcd n the base and projecting therefrom, the rod having a treadle portion so dimensioned and arranged as to be deflectable from a raised position to a depressed position when traversed by the wheel of a cycle, such deflection causing the rod to turn about its axis and release the latch member. In one embodiment. two such operating rods are employed. each equipped with its own latch member, the treadle portions of the two rods being spaced laterally from each other by a short distance so that. by skilled manipulation. a cyclist can cause the front wheel to traverse one treadle portion and the rear wheel to traverse the other, successive operation of both rods releasing the flag member to travel to its signalling position. A second typical embodiment also employs two operating rods, but with the treadle portions of the two rods spaced apart transversely of the rods by a distance such that, with proper skill. the cyclist can cause the front wheel to jump the first treadle and traverse the second to release the associated latch member, the arrangement being such that, should the front wheel engage the first treadle rather than jumping it, the spring bias for the flag member will be disabled, so that release of the latch member associated with the second treadle will not result in movement of the flag member to its signalling position. Still another embodiment employs three operating rods, two at the end approached by the cyclist, the other at the opposite end, and is so constructed and arranged that the flag member is released to its signalling position only if the first two operating rods are engaged before the third, the arrangement being such that, to actuate the flag member, the cyclist must cause the front wheel of the cycle to traverse one of the first two operating rods, then back up and actuate the other of the first two without disturbing the third, and then proceed across the third operating rod.

In order that the manner in which the foregoing and other objects are achieved according to the invention can be understood in detail, particularly advantageous embodiments thereof will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form part of the original disclosure hereof, and wherein:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a course obstacle and wheel-actuated event signal according to one embodiment of the invention, showing the signal after it has been actuated;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken generally on line 2--2, FIG. I, but with parts of the device shown in their positions prior to actuation;

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken generally on line 33, FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view similar to FIG. I of a device according to another embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken generally on line 55, FIG. 4, but with parts of the device shown in their positions prior to actuation;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are transverse sectional views taken generally on lines 66 and 7-7, FIG. 5, respectively;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary top plan elevational view of the device of FIGS. 4-7; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 of a device according to another embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMMENT OF FIGS. I-3

In this embodiment, the device comprises a base I, a flag member 2 pivotally mounted on the base by means of a shaft 3, a first operating rod 4 journalled on the base and carrying a latch member 5, and a second operating rod 6 journalled on the base and carrying a latch member 7.

Base 1 is an integral piece molded from rigid polymeric material, the piece being of elongated rectangular plan configuration and including recurved sides and ends. to provide double side walls 8, 9 and 10, II and double end walls 12, I3 and l4, l5, and a flat bottom wall l6, the bottom edges of outer walls 9, II, I3 and IS lying in a common plane with the bottom surface of wall 16. Shaft 3 is inserted in a set of openings in walls 840, the openings being coaxially aligned transversely of the base and located nearer end walls I4, [5 than end walls l2, 13. Operating rod 4 is of circular transverse cross section and includes a straight end portion 17 inserted through openings in walls 8 which are aligned transversely of the base. Also of circular transverse cross section, operating rod 6 includes straight end portion 18 which is inserted through transversely aligned openings in side walls 8l0. Portion 17 of operating rod 4 is located near end walls l2, l3. Portion 18 of operating rod 6 is disposed between portion l7 and end wall 12.

Flag member 2 is of elongated generally rectangular plan configuration. of a width such as to be accommodated freely between inner side walls 8 and 10, the length of the flag member being such that, when the flag member is disposed between side walls 8 and I0 and extends parallel to bottom wall 16, the free end of the flag member is adjacent end portions 17 and 18 of the operating rods. Base 1 includes a short top wall 19 disposed between shaft 3 and end wall 14. At its end adjacent top wall l9, flag member 2 includes two inte gral, transversely spaced and transversely aligned bearing portions 20 through which shaft 3 freely extends. Between bearing portions 20, shaft 3 is embraced by a multi-turn helical torsion spring 21, one end portion 22 of the spring extending along and engaging the bottom surface of the flag member, the other end portion 23 of the spring extending beneath and engaging top wall 19, so that the effect of the spring is to urge the flag member to the raised, signalling position shown in FIG. I.

As best seen in FIG. I, the half offlag member 2 adjacent inner side wall 8 is shorter than that adjacent inner side wall [0, the free end portion of the flag member being defined by a first transverse edge 24, a longitudinally extending edge 25 which is coincident with the center line of the flag member, and a second transverse edge 26. The distance between shaft 3 and edge 24 is shorter than that between shaft 3 and edge 26 by the space between operating rod portions l7 and 18. Thus, when the flag member is in its nested position overlying bottom wall I6, as shown in FIG. 2, edge 24 is immediately adjacent portion 17 of operating rod 4 while edge 26 is immediately adjacent portion 18 of operating rod 6. The flag member is thickened, as indicated at 27, FIG. 2, adjacent edges 24 and 26, the additional material being on the bottom side of the flag member. The top surface of flag member 2 is provided with a plural ity of mutually parallel, transversely extending serrations or teeth 28 adjacent edge 24, and with a like set of serrations or teeth 29 adjacent edge 26.

Latch member 5 is an integral piece of rigid polymeric material and comprises a cylindrical hub 30, which is fixed to operation rod portion I7, a flat arm portion 31 which projects outwardly from the hub and lies in a plane including projects outwardly from the hub and lies in a plane including the axis of rod portion 17, and a hook portion 32 which projects from the outer edge of arm portion 31 in a direction which is toward shaft 3 when member 5 is in the position shown in FIG. 2. The face of hook portion 32 which is directed toward rod portion 17 is provided with a plurality of mutually parallel serrations or teeth 33 which are parallel to rod portion 17 and arranged to mate with teeth 28 adjacent edge 24 of the flag member. Identical to latch member 5, latch member 7 comprises a hub 34, fixed to portion 18 of operating rod 6, an arm portion 35, and a hook portion 36, the latter being provided with serrations or teeth 37 adapted to mate with teeth 29 adjacent edge 26 of the flag member. The lengths of the two latch members are slightly less than half the distance between side walls 8 and [0 of the base, latch member 5 being secured to rod portion 17 in a location adjacent to side wall 8 while latch member 7 is secured to rod portion [8 in a location adjacent to side wall 10. Edges 24 and 26 of the fiat member 2 are chamferred to provide clearance for hubs 30 and 34.

Straight portion 17 of operating rod 4 projects laterally from base I for a substantial distance and then joins a treadle portion, indicated generally at 39. Treadlc portion 39 is an integral portion of operating rod 4, is of generally U-shaped configuration, and includes shorter portions 40 and 41, which form the legs of the U, and a longer portion 42, which forms the base of the U, portions 40-42 lying in a common plane which also includes portion l7. The free end of portion 41 is recurved to provide a U-shaped end 43, the U of end 43 being small in comparison to that of treadle portion 39, and the bottom of the U of end 43 being aligned with straight portion 17. Portion [8 of operating rod 6 projects laterally from base 1 for a distance which is shorter than the projecting length of portion I7. At its outer end, portion l8joins a treadle portion 44 which is identical to treadle portion 39. The relative lengths of rod portions 17, I8, and the dimensions of treadle portions 39 and 44, are such that treadle portion 44 lies between treadle portion 39 and base I.

With base I placed on the ground (or other surface over which a cycling event is to be performed), operating rods 4 and 6 can occupy positions such that treadle portions 39 and 44 lie flat on the ground. In this regard, the locations of the openings in side walls 8l0 through which rod portions 17 and I8 extend, are near the bottom of the base, and portions 17 and 18 are of a length such that, considering that the rods have some resiliency, the treadle portions can be displaced down wardly a slight distance relative to base I. As Will be clear from FIGS. I and 2, the planes of treadle portions 39 and 44 each extend at an angle of, e.g., to the respective planes of the arm portions 31 and 34 of the latch members 5 and 7, respectively, and these angles are such that, when treadle portions 39 and 44 lie against the ground, latch member arm portions 3] and 34 slant upwardly and away from flag member 2. Operating rods 4 and 6 can also be turned, about the respective axes of portions 17 and 18, so that treadle portions 39 and 44 each slant at an angle of, e.g., 30 relative to the ground, the direction of the slant being upwardly and away from the pivoted end of flag member 2. Accordingly, with flag member 2 in its raised or signalling position, as in FIG. 1, the device can be prepared for use by first pivoting the operating rods 4 and 6 to bring treadle portions 39 and 44 against the ground, then depressing flag member 2 to the position shown in FIG. 2, and then pivoting both operating rods until treadle portions 39 and 44 occupy the upwardly slanting positions shown in FIG. 2, this latter step causing latch members 5 and 7 to swing to positions in which the respective hook portions overlie the end of the flag memher, with the teeth 33 and 37 of the latch members mating respectively with the teeth 28 and 29 of the flag member.

. The end of the device adjacent shaft 3 is the upcourse end of the device, i.e., the end to be approached by the bicycle or the like during performance of an event. Thus, with the device sct" in the manner illustrated in FIG, 2, treadle portions 39 and 44 slant upwardly and dowmcoursc, ie, upwardly and away from the approaching cycle. The width of each treadle portion, i.c., the space between portions and 41, is significantly greater than the tire diameter of bicycles or the like with which the event is to be performed. The space between the two treadle portions can also be greater than the tire diameter, so that both treadle portions cannot be engaged simultaneously by one wheel of the bicycle or the like. Accordingly, the device poses to the cyclist the challenge of so manipulating the cycle that the front wheel passes over one of the treadle portions 39 and 44, and thereby pivots the corresponding latch member 5 or 7 out of latching engagement with flag member 2, and the rear wheel passes over the other of the treadle portions 39 and 44, and thereby pivots the remaining one of the latch members 5 or 7 out of engagement with the flag member, the flag member then being pivoted to its signalling position, FIG. 1, by spring 21. If each treadle member is not traversed by a wheel of the cycle, then at least one oflatch members 5, 7 will remain in latched position and the flag member will not be released.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT OF FIGS. 4-8

Devices according to this embodiment comprise a base SI, a flag member 52 pivoted on base 51 by a shaft 53, a first operating rod 54 journalled on base 51 and carrying a latch member 55, and a second operating rod 56 journalled on the base and carrying a latch member 57. Base 51 is similar to base I, FIG. I, and comprises double side walls 58, S9 and 60, 6], and double end walls 62, 63 and 64, 65, the end walls 64, 65 defining the up-course end of the base. Shaft 53 is carried by side walls 5860 in a location near but spaced from end wall 64. Straight portion 67 of operating rod 54 is journalled in side walls 58-60 between shaft 53 and end wall 64. Straight portion 68 of operating rod 56 is journallcd in side walls 58-60 in a location near end wall 62.

Unlike the embodiment of FIGS. I-3, the portion of frame SI between shaft 53 and end wall 64 does not include a top wall. Instead, a disabling member 69 is provided, member 69 being of rectangular plan configuration capable of being nested in the space defined by end wall 64 and the adjacent portions of side walls 58 and 60. Flag member 52 includes spaced bearing portions 70, through which shaft 53 freely extends. Member 69 includes spaced bearing ears 95 which are located between bearing portions 70 and through which shaft 53 freely extends. Thus, both flag member 52 and member 69 are supported on base SI for pivotal movement about the axis of shaft 53. Between bearing ears 95, shaft 53 is embraced by a multi-turn helical torsion spring 7I, end 72 of the spring extending beneath and engaging the lower face of flag member 52, end 73 of the spring extending beneath and being secured to member 69, so that the spring is effective to bias both members 52 and 69 upwardly.

Member 69 has a rectangular opening 96 which accommodates a latch member fixed to straight portion 67 of operating rod 54, one edge 97 of opening 96 being parallel to and nearer end wall 64 and provided on its upper face with teeth 78. Latch member 55 comprises a cylindrical hub 80, FIG. 5, an outwardly projecting arm 8], and a hook portion 82, the latter having teeth 83 disposed to mate with teeth 78. Outboard of frame 51, operating rod 54 is formed with a U-shaped treadle portion 89. Operating rod 54 can be swung, about the axis of straight portion 67, between a position in which treadle portion 89 is flat on the ground or other supporting surface, as in FIG. 4, and a position in which trcadle portion 89 slants upwardly and toward end walls 62, 63 at an angle of, e.g., 30, as in FIG. 5. Movement of operating rod 54 to the position seen in FIG. 4 causes latch member 55 to be swung counterclockwise (as viewed in FIG. 5) until the latch member is disengaged from member 69, so that member 69 can be pivoted counterclockwise (as viewed in FIG. 5) by spring 7 l The free end of flag member 52 is thickened and the top surface thereof is provided with mutually parallel transversely extending serrations or teeth 79, FIG. 5. Latch member 57 includes a cylindrical hub 84, fixed to straight portion 68 of operating rod 56, an outwardly projecting arm portion 85, and a hook portion 86, the latter having teeth 87 adapted to mate with the teeth 79 of the flag member. Outboard of base 51, operating rod 56 is formed with an integral U-shaped treadle portion 94. As seen by comparison of FIGS. 4 and 5, operating rod 56 can be pivoted, about the axis of straight portion 68, between a position, seen in FIG. 4, in which treadle portion 94 lies against the ground or other supporting surface, and a second position, seen in FIG. 5, in which treadle portion 94 slants upwardly and away from shaft 53 at an angle of, e.g., 30. With operating rod 56 in the first position, as seen in FIG. 4, latch member 57 is disengaged from flag member 52. With operating rod 56 in the second position, assuming that the flag member has been moved to the nested position seen in FIG. 5, latch member 57 is engaged with the flag member to retain the same in its nested position.

The device is prepared for use by placing frame SI on the ground or other surface for the cycle event, swinging the operating rods to bring treadles 89 and 94 against the ground and swing latch members 55 and 57 to their inactive positions, swinging member 69 to its nested position and then moving operating rod 54 to swing treadle 89 upwardly and engage latch member 55 with member 69, swinging flag member 52 to its nested position, and then moving operating rod 56 to swing treadle 94 upwardly and cause latch member 57 to engage over the free end of the flag member. Thus set, the device poses to the cyclist the challenge of causing the cycle to perform a front wheel jump, with the front wheel clearing treadle 89 and traversing treadle 94.

Spring 71 and member 69 are so arranged that, if latch member 55 be released while latch member 57 is engaged, upward swinging movement of disabling member 69 relieves all of the energy stored in the spring. Thus, if latch member 55 is first released by actuation of operating rod 54, release oflatch member 57 by operating rod 56 will not result in movement of the flag member significantly away from the nested position seen in FIG. 5. On the other hand, if latch member 55 remains engaged with member 69, so that member 69 remains in the nested position seen in FIG. 5, actuation of operating rod 56 to release latch member 57 will then result in flag member 52 being swung upwardly to its signalling position as seen in FIG. 4, and the flag member will remain in its signalling position even though operating rod 54 be subsequently actuated to release latch member 55.

Trcadle portions 89 and 94 are significantly wider than the diameter of the tire ofa bicycle or the like, and

are aligned with each other in a direction parallel to the length of base 1 and therefore parallel to the direction of travel of a cycle with which the event is being performed. The U of treadle 89 has significantly longer legs than the U of treadle 94. Accordingly, with treadle 89 inclined upwardly at a sharper angle than is treadle 94, treadle 89 will predominate visually as the cyclist approaches the device. Alternatively, the treadles can be color coded, with, e.g., treadle 89 red to indicate that it is to be jumped, and treadle 94 green to indicate that it is to be engaged by the cycle wheel. Advantageously, the distance between straight portions 67 and 68 of the operating rods is relatively small, typically on the order of in. for use with bicycles, so that if the cyclist succeeds in causing the front wheel of the cycle to jump treadle 89, that wheel will land approximately on treadle 94. In all events, the distance between the treadles is significantly less than the effective distance between the wheels of a cycle with which the device is to be employed.

FIG. 9 illustrates a device which requires the cyclist to operate two treadles, without first operating a third treadle, in order to actuate a signal. In this embodiment, the device comprises a base 151, a flag member 152, and a disabling member 169, members 152 and 169 being mounted on base 151 to pivot about a com mon shaft 153 and being biased to their upwardly slanting positions by a torsion spring 17] in the same general fashion hcreinbefore described for the embodiment of FIGS. 4-8. Two actuating rods 156 and 256 are journallcd in frame 151 in that location occupied by the free end portion of flag member 152 when the flag member is in its fully lowered position. Actuating rod 156 projects laterally from base 151 for a relatively short distance and, at its outer end, is bent to provide a treadle portion 194. At its inner end, rod 156 carries a latch member 157 which passes through a suitable aperture in flag member 152 to engage over the flag memher and latch it down only when the rotational position of rod 156 is such that treadle portion 194 is raised, as shown. Actuating rod 256 is disposed adjacent and parallel to rod 156 but extends laterally well beyond treadlc 194, the outer end of rod 256 being bent to provide a treadle portion 294. At its inner end, rod 256 carries a latch member 257 which operates through a suitable aperture in flag member 152 to engage over the flag member and latch it down only when the rotational position of rod 256 is such that treadle 294 is raised, as shown. When at least one of rods 156, 256 remains in treadle up position, flag member 152 remains in its latched-down position.

A third actuating rod 154 is journalled in the opposite end of base and extends laterally therefrom on the same side as rods 156 and 256. Rod 154 is bent to provide a treadle 189 which is at least as long as the combination of treadles I94 and 294 and the space therebetween, treadle 189 being so located that any line which is parallel to base [51 and crosses either treadle I94, treadle 294, or the space between treadles I94 and 294 will also cross treadle 189. Fixed to the inner end of rod 154 is a latch member 155 oriented to engage over the free end of disabling member 169 to hold that member down when the rotational position of rod 154 is such that treadle 189 is raised. as shown. lf treadle 189 is operated to release latch member 155 from member 169 before both treadles 194 and 294 have been operated, the spring force stored in torsion spring 171 will be used only to pivot disabling member 169 upwardly, and subsequent release of latch members 157 and 257 will not be effective to cause flag member 151 to pivot upwardly to its signalling position.

The device of this embodiment poses to the cyclist the problem of so manipulating the cycle that the front wheel first operates one of the treadles I94 and 294, the cycle is then stopped without the front wheel operating treadle 189, the cycle then backed to return the front wheel to a point up-course from the device and the cycle then guided forwardly again to cause the front wheel to operate the other of treadles I94 and 294 be fore treadle 189 is operated.

What is claimed is:

1. in a combined course obstacle and signal device for events performed with bicycles and the like, the combination of a base adapted to rest upon the surface over which the event is to be performed;

signal means carried by said base and including actuating means for actuating the signal means from a stored, inactive condition to an observable signalling condition; and

operating means for said signal means comprising a plurality of wheel actuated treadle means carried by said base, each of said treadle means being so spaced from each other and so disposed beside said base as to be observable by a cyclist as defining a particular manipulation of the cycle required for actuation of the signal means,

said treadle means connected to means operationally coacting with said actuating means, said connected means constructed and arranged to operate said actuating means of the signal means in response to operation of said treadle means as a result of successful performance of the required particular manipulation of the cycle.

2. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein said operating means comprises two mutually independent treadle means each having a portion observable by a cyclist as intended for engagement by a cycle wheel,

said portions of said two treadle means being spaced apart transversely of the general path of travel of cycles performing the event, whereby said operating means can be actuated by causing the front wheel of the cycle to engage only one of said observable portions and the rear wheel of the cycle to engage the other of said observable portions.

3. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein said signal means comprises disabling means for preventing actuation thcreof by said actuating means; and

said operating means comprises two mutually independent treadle means extending across the general path of travel of cycles performing the event and spaced apart in the direc tion of travel of the cycles by a distance smaller than the space between the front and rear wheels of the cycle.

the one of said treadle means first approached by the cycle being constructed and arranged to operate said disabling means when said one of said treadle means is engaged by a wheel of the cycle,

the other ot said treadle means being constructed and arranged to operate said actuating means when said other treadle means is engaged by a wheel of the cycle and said disabling means has not been operated. 4. The combination defined in claim I, wherein said signal means comprises a signal member mounted on said base for movement between a stored position and a raised, signalling position;

and said operating means comprises spring means connected to said signal member to bias the same toward said raised, signalling position,

two mutually independent latch members each engageablc with said signal member to retain the signal member in its stored position, the signal member being free to travel to said raised, signalling position when both of said latch members have been released,

said operating means including two of said wheel actuated treadle means, said two treadle means being mutually independent, and each of said two treadle means being constructed and arranged to release a different one of said latch members when the respective treadle means has been actuated by a cycle wheel.

5. The combination defined in claim 4, wherein each of said two treadle means comprises an operating member journalled on said base for movement about a generally horizontal axis which extends laterally from the base and across the path of travel of a cyclist performing the event, and

a treadle carried by said operating member and movable with said operating member between a first position, in which the treadle extends upwardly for engagement by a cycle wheel, and a second position, to which said treadle is depressed by a wheel passing thereover,

said latch members being released by movement of the respective treadle to its second position.

6. The combination defined in claim 5, wherein said operating members are generally parallel, and

said treadles are spaced apart by a relatively small distance lengthwise of said operating members.

7. The combination defined in claim 6, wherein each of said operating members is an integral rod having a straight portion adjacent said base and extending laterally therefrom, and

said treadlcs are in the form of generally U-shaped portions of the respective rods.

8. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein said signal means comprises a flag member,

a shaft carried by said base and mounting said flag member for pivotal movement, about the axis of the shaft. between said stored, inactive position and a raised, signalling position,

disabling means mounted on said base for movement between a disabling position, in which said flag member is disabled from movement to its raised, signalling position, and a second position enabling movement of said flag member to its raised signalling position, and

spring means opcratively engaged with said flag member to urge the same toward its raised, signalling position; and

said operating means comprises a first releasable latch member engageable with said flag member to retain the flag member in said stored, inactive position, one of said treadle means being connected to said first latch member and arranged to disengage said first latch member from said flag member when said one treadle means is operated by a cycle wheel,

another of said treadle means being connected to operate said disabling means.

9. The combination defined in claim 8, wherein said disabling means comprises a pivoted disabling member; and

said operating means comprises a second releasable latch member engageable with said disabling member to retain the disabling member in its inactive position, said other treadle means being connected to said second latch member and arranged to release the same from the disabling member when said other treadle means is operated by a cycle wheel.

10. The combination defined in claim 9, wherein said disabling member is carried by said shaft and arranged to swing about the axis of said shaft independently of said flag member;

said spring means is a torsion spring embracing said shaft and having one end engaged with said flag member and the other end engaged with said disabling member;

said treadle means are located on the same side of said base and spaced apart in the direction of travel of a cycle performing the event, said other treadle means being so located as to be the first approached by the cycle,

said spring and said disabling member being so constructed and arranged that, when said second latch member is released from said disabling member while said first latch member remains engaged with said flag member, the energy stored in said spring will be released by movement of said disabling member and subsequent release of said first latch member will therefore not cause said flag member to be moved to its raised, signalling position.

1]. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein said signal means comprises a signal member mounted on said base for movement between a stored position and a visible signalling position, and

disabling means for preventing actuation of the signal means; and

said operating means comprises a first treadle member journalled on said base for movement about a generally horizontal axis which extends laterally from the base and across the intended path of travel of a cycle performing the event,

a movable latch member carried by said base and engageable with said signal member to retain the signal member in its stored position, said first operating member being connected to said latch member to release the latch member from the signal member when said first treadle member is actuated by a cycle wheel,

a second treadle member journalled on said base for movement about a generally horizontal axis which extends laterally from the base on the same side of the base as said first treadle memher, said second treadle member being connected to said disabling means to operate the same, to pre vent actuation of the signal means, when said second treadle member is actuated by a cycle wheel, said second treadle member being so located as to be the first approached by a cycle performing the event, said first and second treadle members being spaced apart, in the intended direction of travel of a cycle performing the event, by a distance such that the rider of a cycle may cause the front wheel thereof to jump said second treadle member and actuate said first treadle member before the rear wheel of the cycle has reached said second treadle member. l2. The combination defined in claim I, wherein said signal means comprises a disabling member mounted on said base for movement between an inactive position and a disabling position, the signal means being disabled when said disabling member is in its disabling position; and said operating means comprises first, second and third treadle members projecting laterally from said base on the same side thereof and across the intended path of travel of a cycle performing the event, means operative only when both said first and second treadle members have been actuated for operating said actuating means to actuate the signal means to its observable signalling condition, and said third treadle member being connected to said disabling member to move the same to its disabling position when the third treadle member is actuated, said first and second treadle members being disposed side-by-side in a location which is first approached by the cycle, said third treadle member being spaced from said first and second treadle members, in the intended direction of travel of the cycle, by a distance such that the front wheel of the cycle can be caused to actuate one of said first and second treadle members without engaging said third treadle member, the cycle then hacked to a point up-course from said first and second treadle members, and the cycle then moved forwardly to actuate the other of said first and second treadle members and finally said third treadle member 13. The combination defined in claim 12, wherein said first and second treadle members are each in the form of a rod having a straight portion adjacent said base and a generally Ushaped treadle portion spaced outwardly from the base. said U-shaped treadle portions being spaced apart in a direction transverse to the intended direction of travel of the cycle. 14. The combination defined in claim I, wherein said base is an elongated integral body of polymeric material having double side walls which project above a generally flat bottom wall; at least one of said treadle means comprises a shaft portion extending transversely of the base and journalled in said side walls; said signal means comprises an elongated flag member dimensioned to be accommodated between said side walls, said flag member having a free end portion and a pivoted end portion, shaft means extending transversely relative to the base and supported by said side walls, said shaft means being operatively connected to said pivoted end portion of said flag member to mount the flag member for pivotal movement between a stored position adjacent the bottom wall of the base and an observable signalling position in which the flag member extends upwardly from the base, and spring means engaged with the flag member to urge the same toward said signalling position; and said operating means comprises a latch member fixed to said shaft portion of said treadle means for movement therewith about the axis of said shaft portion, said latch member being engageablc over part of said free end portion of the flag member and releasable from the flag member as a result of rotary movement of said shaft portion. 15. The combination defined in claim 14, wherein the free end portion of the flag member is provided with an aperture; and said latch member projects through said aperture and engages over the flag member when the flag member is latched in said stored position 

1. In a combined course obstacle and signal device for events performed with bicycles and the like, the combination of a base adapted to rest upon the surface over which the event is to be performed; signal means carried by said base and including actuating means for actuating the signal means from a stored, inactive condition to an observable signalling condition; and operating means for said signal means comprising a plurality of wheel actuated treadle means carried by said base, each of said treadle means being so spaced from each other and so disposed beside said base as to be observable by a cyclist as defining a particular manipulation of the cycle required for actuation of the signal means, said treadle means connected to means operationally coacting with said actuating means, said connected means constructed and arranged to operate said actuating means of the signal means in response to operation of said treadle means as a result of successful performance of the required particular manipulation of the cycle.
 2. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein said operating means comprises two mutually independent treadle means each having a portion observable by a cyclist as intended for engagement by a cycle wheel, said portions of said two treadle means being spaced apart transversely of the general path of travel of cycles performing the event, whereby said operating means can be actuated by causing the front wheel of the cycle to engage only one of said observable portions and the rear wheel of the cycle to engage the other of said observable portions.
 3. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein said signal means comprises disabling means for preventing actuation thereof by said actuating means; and said operating means comprises two mutually independent treadle means extending across the general path of travel of cycles performing the event and spaced apart in the direction of travel of the cycles by a distance smaller than the space between the front and rear wheels of the cyclE, the one of said treadle means first approached by the cycle being constructed and arranged to operate said disabling means when said one of said treadle means is engaged by a wheel of the cycle, the other of said treadle means being constructed and arranged to operate said actuating means when said other treadle means is engaged by a wheel of the cycle and said disabling means has not been operated.
 4. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein said signal means comprises a signal member mounted on said base for movement between a stored position and a raised, signalling position; and said operating means comprises spring means connected to said signal member to bias the same toward said raised, signalling position, two mutually independent latch members each engageable with said signal member to retain the signal member in its stored position, the signal member being free to travel to said raised, signalling position when both of said latch members have been released, said operating means including two of said wheel actuated treadle means, said two treadle means being mutually independent, and each of said two treadle means being constructed and arranged to release a different one of said latch members when the respective treadle means has been actuated by a cycle wheel.
 5. The combination defined in claim 4, wherein each of said two treadle means comprises an operating member journalled on said base for movement about a generally horizontal axis which extends laterally from the base and across the path of travel of a cyclist performing the event, and a treadle carried by said operating member and movable with said operating member between a first position, in which the treadle extends upwardly for engagement by a cycle wheel, and a second position, to which said treadle is depressed by a wheel passing thereover, said latch members being released by movement of the respective treadle to its second position.
 6. The combination defined in claim 5, wherein said operating members are generally parallel, and said treadles are spaced apart by a relatively small distance lengthwise of said operating members.
 7. The combination defined in claim 6, wherein each of said operating members is an integral rod having a straight portion adjacent said base and extending laterally therefrom, and said treadles are in the form of generally U-shaped portions of the respective rods.
 8. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein said signal means comprises a flag member, a shaft carried by said base and mounting said flag member for pivotal movement, about the axis of the shaft, between said stored, inactive position and a raised, signalling position, disabling means mounted on said base for movement between a disabling position, in which said flag member is disabled from movement to its raised, signalling position, and a second position enabling movement of said flag member to its raised signalling position, and spring means operatively engaged with said flag member to urge the same toward its raised, signalling position; and said operating means comprises a first releasable latch member engageable with said flag member to retain the flag member in said stored, inactive position, one of said treadle means being connected to said first latch member and arranged to disengage said first latch member from said flag member when said one treadle means is operated by a cycle wheel, another of said treadle means being connected to operate said disabling means.
 9. The combination defined in claim 8, wherein said disabling means comprises a pivoted disabling member; and said operating means comprises a second releasable latch member engageable with said disabling member to retain the disabling member in its inactive position, said other treadle means being connected to said second latch member and arranged to release the same from the disAbling member when said other treadle means is operated by a cycle wheel.
 10. The combination defined in claim 9, wherein said disabling member is carried by said shaft and arranged to swing about the axis of said shaft independently of said flag member; said spring means is a torsion spring embracing said shaft and having one end engaged with said flag member and the other end engaged with said disabling member; said treadle means are located on the same side of said base and spaced apart in the direction of travel of a cycle performing the event, said other treadle means being so located as to be the first approached by the cycle, said spring and said disabling member being so constructed and arranged that, when said second latch member is released from said disabling member while said first latch member remains engaged with said flag member, the energy stored in said spring will be released by movement of said disabling member and subsequent release of said first latch member will therefore not cause said flag member to be moved to its raised, signalling position.
 11. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein said signal means comprises a signal member mounted on said base for movement between a stored position and a visible signalling position, and disabling means for preventing actuation of the signal means; and said operating means comprises a first treadle member journalled on said base for movement about a generally horizontal axis which extends laterally from the base and across the intended path of travel of a cycle performing the event, a movable latch member carried by said base and engageable with said signal member to retain the signal member in its stored position, said first operating member being connected to said latch member to release the latch member from the signal member when said first treadle member is actuated by a cycle wheel, a second treadle member journalled on said base for movement about a generally horizontal axis which extends laterally from the base on the same side of the base as said first treadle member, said second treadle member being connected to said disabling means to operate the same, to prevent actuation of the signal means, when said second treadle member is actuated by a cycle wheel, said second treadle member being so located as to be the first approached by a cycle performing the event, said first and second treadle members being spaced apart, in the intended direction of travel of a cycle performing the event, by a distance such that the rider of a cycle may cause the front wheel thereof to jump said second treadle member and actuate said first treadle member before the rear wheel of the cycle has reached said second treadle member.
 12. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein said signal means comprises a disabling member mounted on said base for movement between an inactive position and a disabling position, the signal means being disabled when said disabling member is in its disabling position; and said operating means comprises first, second and third treadle members projecting laterally from said base on the same side thereof and across the intended path of travel of a cycle performing the event, means operative only when both said first and second treadle members have been actuated for operating said actuating means to actuate the signal means to its observable signalling condition, and said third treadle member being connected to said disabling member to move the same to its disabling position when the third treadle member is actuated, said first and second treadle members being disposed side-by-side in a location which is first approached by the cycle, said third treadle member being spaced from said first and second treadle members, in the intended direction of travel of the cycle, by a distance such that the front wheel of the cycle can be caused to actuate one of said first and second tReadle members without engaging said third treadle member, the cycle then backed to a point up-course from said first and second treadle members, and the cycle then moved forwardly to actuate the other of said first and second treadle members and finally said third treadle member.
 13. The combination defined in claim 12, wherein said first and second treadle members are each in the form of a rod having a straight portion adjacent said base and a generally U-shaped treadle portion spaced outwardly from the base, said U-shaped treadle portions being spaced apart in a direction transverse to the intended direction of travel of the cycle.
 14. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein said base is an elongated integral body of polymeric material having double side walls which project above a generally flat bottom wall; at least one of said treadle means comprises a shaft portion extending transversely of the base and journalled in said side walls; said signal means comprises an elongated flag member dimensioned to be accommodated between said side walls, said flag member having a free end portion and a pivoted end portion, shaft means extending transversely relative to the base and supported by said side walls, said shaft means being operatively connected to said pivoted end portion of said flag member to mount the flag member for pivotal movement between a stored position adjacent the bottom wall of the base and an observable signalling position in which the flag member extends upwardly from the base, and spring means engaged with the flag member to urge the same toward said signalling position; and said operating means comprises a latch member fixed to said shaft portion of said treadle means for movement therewith about the axis of said shaft portion, said latch member being engageable over part of said free end portion of the flag member and releasable from the flag member as a result of rotary movement of said shaft portion.
 15. The combination defined in claim 14, wherein the free end portion of the flag member is provided with an aperture; and said latch member projects through said aperture and engages over the flag member when the flag member is latched in said stored position. 